LPCiminelli ending its general contracting operation

One of the region's largest construction companies is downsizing its operations, with LPCiminelli announcing it is closing its general contracting business.

In a written statement, new president Kyle Tuttle says LPCiminelli "will continue to focus all of its efforts on onstruction management, program management and development opportunities."

LPCiminelli has more than 50 years of general contracting experience in the area. Some of the company's recent projects include Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls, the Robert H. Jackson federal courthouse in downtown Buffalo and the new University at Buffalo medical school on the Buffalo-Niagara Medical Campus.

Former CEO Louis Ciminelli and former company executives Kevin Schuler and Michael Laipple are awaiting trial on federal corruption charges in connection with the state's $750 million project at RiverBend, now home to Tesla and Panasonic. All three have denied the charges.

Tuttle says LPCiminelli plans to auction off construction equipment it no longer needs.